18-64
That was what Bleacher Reports Andy Bailey predicted the Oklahoma City Thunder’s record would be at the end of the 2022-2023 season.
“OKC is still a year or two away from consistently competitive basketball.”
Now in the final days of March with only five games left to go the Thunder are one win away from doubling that win total. As of March 30th the Thunder sit at 38-39 and have sole possession of the 10th seed and the last spot in the play-in tournament.
The youngest team in the NBA with an average age of 23 years old has soared above everyone’s expectations and has grown into one of the most exciting teams on both sides of the ball.
The team who had struggled the past two years as they were rebuilding have been able to find success this season. From their front office to coaches and the players on the court everything is beginning to fall into place for the squad. This year the success can be attributed to many things but mainly due to the play of rising star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
SGA has been playing at an all NBA level since October when the season began. He’s averaging 31 points 5 assists and 5 rebounds a game while leading the youngest team in the NBA to potentially a winning season and a spot in the playoffs for the first time in three years. SGA received his first All-Star nomination this year and finds himself in 7th place on NBA.com recent MVP ladder rankings behind the likes of Luka Doncic, Joel Embiid and Jayson Tatum.
Although SGA has been the backbone of OKC this year they have seen valuable contributions from other players on the court. One in particular is rookie Jalen Williams (J-Dub) who has been developing at a surprisingly fast pace. The 12th pick in the draft out of Santa Clara University has become a key contributor on offense since the All-Star break averaging 20 points on 56% shooting from the field and 46% from three which are both well above league average.
Due to his recent play Williams has seen his name begin to circulate around rookie of the year talks. Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero is still seen as the favorite but if Williams continues this late season push and the Thunder continue to play winning basketball J-Dub can be a dark horse in the ROTY race.
Six-foot-eight guard Josh Giddey has also been steadily improving over the course of the season. NBA.com ranks him the 4th best player in his draft class and is top 3 in points, rebounds and assists out of the entire sophomore class. Giddey, who played pro ball in Australia before being drafted, is already comfortable playing at his own pace and using his size and vision to dish out very impressive passes.
The Thunder’s roster is full of young upcoming talent. Including this past years no. 2 overall draft pick 7’1 Chet Holmgren who was injured prior to the season and has missed the entire year. Many of the prospects on the Thunder are homegrown guys who were drafted by the team. Sam Presti, the Thunder General Manager, has a knack for finding diamonds in the rough.
Presti has found quality role players late in the draft like the second round pick rookie center Jaylin Williams (J-Will) – yes they have two guys with the same name who were drafted in the same draft class. Not to get them confused as J-Will has played quality minutes in the absence of Holmgren at the center position. J-Will has shot 40% from three this season and continues to hit his shots as defenses leave him open beyond the arc.
To compliment the core of young talent on this team the Thunder have an abundance of first and second round draft picks in the upcoming years. Holding 16 first round picks through the 2027 NBA draft. If Prestis track record holds strong there is no doubt that many of these 16 players will pan out to be quality NBA players.
As for the team right now they seem to be committed to the future and are not letting the playoff race distract them from their process. Coach Mark Daigneault said in a press conference “The play-in isn’t so important that it will distract us from our goals”
He adds if they were to make the playoffs as part of the process it would be great but not something that will take their focus off the long term goals.
It will be interesting to watch this team down the stretch if they make the playoffs or not. The team has already surprised many this season so why not surprise everyone once more. Regardless of what happens one thing is for sure basketball is back in OKC.